Sabah Tourism Board plans harmony walk to showcase diversity

21 March 2023

By Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is not only famous for its natural beauty, but also for its harmonious multi-religious society, said Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.

He said Sabah’s diversity, with over 40 ethnic groups living peacefully together, is one of the state’s strengths and attractions.

“Sabah’s multicultural population has proven adept at overcoming religious and cultural barriers to unity. The locals’ friendly nature and peaceful existence have become an important selling point.

“Religious and racial extremism has no place in Sabah and cannot be tolerated here. We coexist harmoniously and that shows in the proximity of our places of worship,” he said.

He cited the example of the State Mosque, Sacred Heart Church, the Sikh Gurduwara and the Peak Nam Tung Buddhist Temple in the State Capital, which are located within a 6km radius.

Joniston who is also STB Chairman, said the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) is looking into introducing a “harmony walk or harmony ride” covering all four places of worship to highlight Sabah’s unique selling point to tourists.

Joniston, made these remarks at a welcome dinner for a South Korean incentive group at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort recently.

The dinner was organised by Coceuco, a Korean-based company that produces and sells multi-functional skin care products under the Repove brand. The company brought 450 high achievers to Sabah as part of its Future Dream Festival programme. STB supported the dinner.

“I say this because, in Sabah, we don’t just want to be renowned for the beauty of our fauna and nature, but also the people,” he added.